The State Department issued a new warning label on its travel advisory website on Tuesday listing kidnappings as a potential danger in a number of countries, just one day after President Trump demanded the kidnappers of an American tourist in Uganda be brought to justice, .
American tourist Kimberly Sue Endicott and her Ugandan tour guide were kidnapped by an armed group that issued a $500,000 ransom for their release. Endicott was freed over the weekend, but Trump demanded justice over Twitter on Monday.
“Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there. Bring them to justice openly and quickly!” he tweeted.
Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there. Bring them to justice openly and quickly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2019
Tuesday’s announcement puts “kidnapping” as among the overseas travel hazards, which also include crime, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, health hazards, and other dangers.
In addition to Uganda, the list includes 34 other countries includes Mexico, which has become a hotbed for drug cartel violence in recent years. According to the State Department, five states in Mexico are listed as locations Americans should not travel to under any circumstances, while a number of the country’s states include other warnings.
Venezuela was also designated as a kidnapping location. The South American country has been in the news lately following U.S. recognition of Juan Guaidó, an opposition leader there, as the legitimate president. Nicolás Maduro, a socialist strongman, has attempted to cling to power, creating chaos and instability across the nation amid a political and economic crisis.
A number of other countries across the world were included in Tuesday’s list, which is part of an effort to keep American travelers safe while visiting other countries abroad. Some other countries where kidnapping was added as a risk include: Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine, and Yemen.
